Alarm device for window or door lock

ABSTRACT

A unitary alarm device for use with window or door locks which signals unauthorized unlocking, opening or removal. The device is incorporated in the nonoperating portion of the lock assembly which may be used in present installations or new installations without alteration to structures. The device incorporates a structure for deactivating the alarm when unlocking, opening or removal of access structure is authorized.

United States Patent nu 3,603,958

[72] Inventor Eric C. Wahlberg [56] References Cited 2 A I Ngi-lsglszvt, Stamford, Conn. 06905 UNITED STATES PATENTS 52 17 1968665,856 1/1901 Biedermann et al.... 340/274 [45] Patented Se L7 19711,120,613 12/1914 Grove ZOO/61.68 p 1,326,380 12/1919 Veigel 340/274Continuation-impart 0! application Ser. No.

490,176 Sept 27, 1965 now abandoned. 2,615,083 10/1921 Krueger 340/274Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant ExaminerJ. Michael BobbittAttorney-Alfred E. Miller [54] ALARM DEVICE R WINDOW 0R DOOR LOCKABSTRACT: A unitary alarm device for use with window or 7 ChumsDnwmgngs' door locks which signals unauthorized unlocking, opening or[52] US. Cl 340/274, removal. The device is incorporatedin thenonoperating por- 200/6l.64, ZOO/61.81 tion of the lock assembly whichmay be used in present instal- [51] lnt.Cl ..G08b 13/06 lations or newinstallations without alteration to structures. [50] Field of Search340/274, The device incorporates a structure for deactivating the alarm276; 200/6l.42,61.64,6l.67,6l.68,61.73,6l.79, when unlocking, opening orremoval of access structure is 61.78,61.81,6 1.82 authorized. 7

ALARM DEVICE FOR WINDOW OR DOOR LOCK The present application is acontinuation-in-part of my abandoned application Ser. No. 49(),l76,filed Sept. 27, I965 and entitled "Lock Assembly.

The present invention relates to locks and especially to deterrents tounauthorized or forced entries. More specifically the invention relatesto house locks, car looks, cashbox locks etc. and means to signalunauthorized entries therein.

It is well known that door and window locks are constantly being brokenor picked by unauthorized persons.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an alarmsystem for locks which is simple in construction and is capable of beingmounted with the present lock structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide aself-contained, unitary lock and alarm system.

Another object of the present invention is a combination lock and alarmsystem which is self-contained including the alarm generation device andis interchangeable with present lock systems.

4 A further object of the present invention is to provide a furtheralarm producing element which is only activated by the forceful removalof the catch in a sash lock.

Other objects and features of the invention will be explained in thefollowing description and claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose by way of example, the principles of thepresent invention. Therefore, in the drawings:

FIG. 1v is a front elevation of the assembled sash lock illustrating thelocking mechanism and the catch containing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines BB of FIG. 4.

FIG. '6 is a detailed front view of the catch without the mating part.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section showing the detail of the alarm systemdeactivating mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a part of door lock assembly and the catchassembly.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the catch assembly.

FIG. 10 is a detailed section D-D of FIG. 9, of the side of the catchassembly.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the front of the catch.

FIG. 12 is a detail of the catch assembly, viewing the rear of the catchassembly shown in FIG. 8, with the cover removed.

Most'of the present day sash locks have a latch mechanism consisting ofa base to which is affixed an approximately l80 camming rotatable latch.This latch mates with a second part which is a one-piece mountingsurface and catch. These two parts are mounted in practice opposite eachother on two different sash surfaces. The latch is generally mounted onthe top of the lower sash while the catch is mounted on the lower partof the upper sash. When the latch engages the catch, the action drawsthe two sashes together and locks them in position against movementparallel to each other.

In the present invention the proposed arrangement constructed onadjacent sashes are shown in FIGS. 1-7.

In FIG. 1 there are shown two parts, the latch assembly 1 and the catchassembly 10. The latch assembly 1 is constructed of latch cam 2rotatably attached to base 4 by means of rivet 3. The catch 10 isconstructed of housing 5 having motor 11 attached thereto. A batteryscrew 22 is located on the face of the housing 5 as an alarm deactivatorhandle 25.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a battery 26, a battery spring 29, batteryretaining screw 22, a battery contact 30 with battery terminal 28assembled relative to terminal mount 27 which are all mounted in thehousing 5.

In FIG. 5 there is shown the switch arm 15 having an inclined wear strip16, a contact 19 mounted'in housing 5 by means of insulator I7 andinsulating screws 23 shown in FIG. 6. Terminals 18 and 20 are shownmounted on opposite sides ofthe housing 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 is thealarm mechanism constituting cam 13 mounted on motor shaft 12, said cambeing in contact with diaphragm 14 which is mounted in housing 5 bymeans of rivets 24 shown in FIG. 6. Also shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 isan antiforcing spring 35 mounted on contact l8 and having one endagainst the housing 5 and the other end poised to contact switch arm 15if the center portion of the spring is not held up by the mountingsurface of the sash. Thus, spring 35 is wound about post or terminal 18with an end resting against the catch 10 in such a way as to make thespring 35 biased in a downward direction thereby causing spring 35 tocontact or' engage spring 15 when catch 10 is forced off or removed fromthe window frame. Moreover, if spring 15 is forced up, the same willengage contact 18 and also activate the alarm.

FIG. 6 shows a deactivating arm 25, terminal 20, battery retaining screw22 on the external front of the housing 5. Internally is shown a portionof contact arm 15 and insulator wear strip 16. V

FIG. 7 shows a deactivating cam 31 having a handle 25 relative tocontact arm 15 and housing 5.

FIGS. 8-12 show the present alarm device mounted in exterior door locks,such as the well-known pin tumbler lock. The principles of this alarmare the same as those set forth hereinbefore with relation to the sashlock.

FIG. 8 shows two parts to the lock assembly, a portion of the lock andcatch assembly 41.

FIG. 9 shows the rear view of the catch assembly with the deactivatingshaft 42 extending out of both sides thereof.

FIG. 10 shows a battery 47, terminal 46, motor 45, cam 48, diaphragm 49,switch arm 70 with an insulator 71, and tab 6 all mounted to the housing41. Also shown is a deactivator cam 44 mounted on shaft 42.

FIG. 11 is a front view of catch 41 where the battery retaining screw 43is located. Shown in lock catch opening 7 is battery terminal 46 anddeactivator cam 44 mounted on deactivator shaft 42, as well as contactassembly 71. In latch catch opening 8 is shown a portion of motor 45.

FIG. 12 is an open view of the rear catch 41 and shows battery 47 behindcontact assembly 46. Also shown is contact arm 70 with deactivator shaft42. In addition, lock catch opening 7 and lock catch opening 8 areshown.

The operation of the sash lock is such that latch cam 2 of FIG. 1, whenit is in locked position, holds switch arm 15 in open, spaced positionbetween the contacts 18 and 20 and not engaging either contact. However,when latch 2 is withdrawn from the latch catch, switch arm 15, due tospring pressure, engages terminal 20. When this happens, a circuit isestablished from battery 26 through contacts 30, housing 5, terminal 20,contact 19, arm 15 and motor 11, as well as spring 29 and batteryretainer screw 22. This causes motor 11 to start and cam 13 to rotate ondiaphragm 14 causing a loud sound to alert nearby people. In thealternative, other alarm systems can be used, such as silent alarmsystems connected to other locations, i.e., police station or neighborshouse. Thus, when unauthorized entry is attempted by opening the latchon the window, the intruder will be detected and announced.

In order that the unit will not operate when the window is used underordinary circumstances, a switch locking cam 31 is turned by means ofarm 25 (FIG. 7) to a point where cam 31 holds contact 19 on switch arm15 away from terminal 20 (FIG. 5). Thus, by means of cam 31 the windowmay be operated in the usual manner without setting off the alarm. Ifthe catch should be forced off the mounting surface of the sash, arm 35(FIGS. 5 and 6) will spring downwardly due to pretension so that the endof the arm will contact 15. This completes the circuit and causes thealarm to be set off. Thus, a means for warning of trespass throughwindows and the like has been accomplished with simplicity andcompactness to fit existing conditions at a reasonable cost andexcellent reliabili- The alarm for a door as seen in FIGS. 8-12comprises, when the door is locked, a switch 70 (FIG. 10) which isengaged by the lock bolt which contacts insulator 71 and forces theswitch laterally away from the contact 72. When the door is opened, thelock is withdrawn and switch arm 70 under spring pressure moveslaterally to contact terminal 72. This causes a circuit to be formedwith the motor 45 by means of battery 47, contact 46, motor 45, contactarm 70, terminal 72 and housing 41. The alarm is caused by vibration ofdiaphragm 49. As in the case of the sash lock described above, adeactivator is used to eliminate the functioning of the alarm undernormal use of the door. The deactivator (FIG. 10) consists of aneccentric cam 44 on a shaft 42 which extends outside the housing 41 inFIG. 12. By rotating shaft 42 cam 44 causes the switch arm 70 to becontinually held away from terminal 72. Thus, release of the switch arm70, when the lock is withdrawn from the catch will not cause the circuitto be made for the alarm due to the position of the deactivator cam 44which holds arm 70 in open position relative to terminal 72. The shaft42 may be operated from the inside of the doorjamb by means of a knob,and from the outside by means of a key-operated lock as is usual for thehousehold locks.

In an alternate method, the battery 47 and its associated structure ofcontact 46, battery retaining screw 43, motor 45 and diaphragm 49 may beeliminated. Since a bell system is generally installed close to the doorlock on the outside of the jamb, the bell pushbutton could beincorporated in the catch assembly. The bell circuit would then replacethe motor and battery circuit. The bell wiring would include in itscircuit the contact 70 and insulated terminal 72. Thus, the bell circuitserves two purposes: One for announcing unauthorized entries and anotherfor announcing visitors. In either case (use of a bell circuit or abattery circuit) the deactivating mechanism for the lock catch assemblywith its associated key lock would be incorporated.

it should be noted that the deactivating cam is shaped in such a mannerthat when the spring is inactive the latch will automatically place thespring in activating position.

Whatl claim is:

l. A compact self-contained alarm device and energy source for coactingwith a locking device provided with locking means comprising anenclosure having said alarm device, energy source, and a connectingmeans located between said alarm device and said energy source mountedwithin said enclosure, said enclosure having an opening to accommodatesaid locking means of said locking device, said connecting meansincluding at least one switch means for completing a circuit from saidenergy source to said alarm device in response to said locking devicebeing in the unlocked position, and said switch means being open in saidconnecting means in response to said locking device being in the lockedposition.

2. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 whereinthere are two spaced terminals, said switch means including a switchhaving its movable member positioned between said terminals having acommon connection in said connecting means in response to said lockingmeans being in the locked position.

3. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a selectively manually operated mechanical means other thanthe locking means coacting with the movable member of said switch meansto cause said movable member to be in open position regardless of theoperative condition of said locking means.

4. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim I whereinsaid locking device is a catch and a coacting latching cam for mountingon adjacent sashes of a window.

5. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid locking device is a door lock having a bolt, the latter engagingsaid switch means in the locked position thereof for holding the same inopen position in said connectin means.

6. compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 2 furthercomprising an antiforcing spring having one end engaging the housing,said antiforcing spring being electrically connected to one of saidterminals, and the other end of said antiforcing spring being biased ina downward direction thereby causing said antiforcing spring to engagesaid switch means when said self-contained alarm device is removed fromits environs.

7. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid alarm device constitutes a rotatable cam and diaphragm whereby whensaid circuit is actuated said cam rotates on said diaphragm to create anaudible alarm.

1. A compact self-contained alarm device and energy source for coactingwith a locking device provided with locking means comprising anenclosure having said alarm device, energy source, and a connectingmeans located between said alarm device and said energy source mountedwithin said enclosure, said enclosure having an opening to accommodatesaid locking means of said locking device, said connecting meansincluding at least one switch means for completing a circuit from saidenergy source to said alarm device in response to said locking devicebeing in the unlocked position, and said switch means being open in saidconnecting means in response to said locking device beinG in the lockedposition.
 2. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1wherein there are two spaced terminals, said switch means including aswitch having its movable member positioned between said terminalshaving a common connection in said connecting means in response to saidlocking means being in the locked position.
 3. A compact self-containedalarm device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a selectivelymanually operated mechanical means other than the locking means coactingwith the movable member of said switch means to cause said movablemember to be in open position regardless of the operative condition ofsaid locking means.
 4. A compact self-contained alarm device as claimedin claim 1 wherein said locking device is a catch and a coactinglatching cam for mounting on adjacent sashes of a window.
 5. A compactself-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lockingdevice is a door lock having a bolt, the latter engaging said switchmeans in the locked position thereof for holding the same in openposition in said connecting means.
 6. A compact self-contained alarmdevice as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an antiforcing springhaving one end engaging the housing, said antiforcing spring beingelectrically connected to one of said terminals, and the other end ofsaid antiforcing spring being biased in a downward direction therebycausing said antiforcing spring to engage said switch means when saidself-contained alarm device is removed from its environs.
 7. A compactself-contained alarm device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alarmdevice constitutes a rotatable cam and diaphragm whereby when saidcircuit is actuated said cam rotates on said diaphragm to create anaudible alarm.